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How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents’ Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators

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  • Kaili Chen

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    National Academy of Economics and Trade for Forestry and Grassland, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Tianzheng Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    National Academy of Economics and Trade for Forestry and Grassland, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Fangyuan Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    National Academy of Economics and Trade for Forestry and Grassland, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yingjie Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    National Academy of Economics and Trade for Forestry and Grassland, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yan Song

    (The Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in the relationship between urban green space and residents’ mental health has gradually risen. A number of researchers have investigated the causal relationship and possible mediators between the two, although few have summarized these mediators. For this reason, we searched for relevant studies and filtered them by criteria and quality score, and analyzed the mediators and paths of the impact of urban green space on residents’ mental health. The mediators can be divided into environmental factors, outdoor activity, and social cohesion. From the perspective of heterogeneity, both individual characteristics (e.g., age and gender) and group characteristics (e.g., level of urban development and urban density) of residents are considered to be the cause of various mediating effects. Types of urban green space tend to affect residents’ mental health through different paths. Furthermore, this review discusses the details of each part under the influence paths. Finally, the policy implications for urban green space planning from three mediator levels are put forward based on an analysis of the situation in different countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaili Chen & Tianzheng Zhang & Fangyuan Liu & Yingjie Zhang & Yan Song, 2021. "How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents’ Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11746-:d:675333
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Yonatal Tefera & Veronica Soebarto & Courtney Bishop & John Kandulu & Carmel Williams, 2023. "A Scoping Review of Urban Planning Decision Support Tools and Processes That Account for the Health, Environment, and Economic Benefits of Trees and Greenspace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-28, December.
    9. Zheng Xian & Tomoki Nakaya & Kun Liu & Bing Zhao & Junhua Zhang & Jiao Zhang & Yuxuan Lin & Jinguang Zhang, 2024. "The effects of neighbourhood green spaces on mental health of disadvantaged groups: a systematic review," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
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